That's not to declare this a lost cause. We've used this forum to highlight ideas that work and the Sun has reported on successes like housing placement for veterans, self-help building projects and temporary tent cities that have helped keep folks out of the cold.

Still, after last week we heard from readers trying to answer the question we posed: What more can we do?

This week there's an event we're lending our voice to support, where there's a tangible and measurable way for you to help make Kitsap County more responsive to needs like homelessness, and programs that go far beyond that.

That opportunity is the Kitsap Great Give, scheduled to begin at midnight on April 24.

Most of you are familiar with the event, now in its fifth year. Donations have steadily grown each year at the Great Give's founding organization, the Kitsap Community Foundation, has seen its stated goals surpassed and encouraged a growing number of "bonus" donations that match what individuals give on the big day. Last year, more than $1.62 million was given to help 284 charities in Kitsap County.

The evidence shows that organization across the spectrum benefit, from arts to children's programs to building projects that have a wide benefit. In 2017, the two projects that raised the most money were both focused on construction — Bremerton's Marvin Williams Center and Kingston's Village Green.

For the 2018 event there are 92 organizations in either the basic needs or human services categories, including many of the nonprofits that help our homeless population. Some are specific to housing or emergency shelter — Habitat for Humanity, Community Frameworks, The Lord's Diner or Kitsap Rescue Mission. Others provide food or everyday items, like seven local food banks on the list. And more do the supportive work to provide for individuals in specific groups, especially children who are in poverty or homelessness — like the Backpack Brigade, Stand Up for Kids or Eastside Baby Corner. And of course there's the broad range of needs taken care of by Kitsap Community Resources. Learn more about all of them and get started on your giving by visiting kitsapgreatgive.org before Tuesday.

The Kitsap Great Give is more than just social services, of course, and we relish that the event also provides help for the arts, sports, education and more.

But this, folks, is a place where you can take part in a major, direct and cooperative effort that will have a tangible impact on some of our most stubborn problems. Use the Kitsap Great Give not only to provide financial support, but explore the organization's website to see how many nonprofits exist that you may not yet know about. If you are really asking the question "What can I do?", come Tuesday there's a direct first step you can take and enough information to help you learn more about the available avenues.

This community has responded so many times when there are needs, as the 90-plus years of the Kitsap Sun Bellringer and the brief history of the Kitsap Great Give can attest. We celebrate that characteristic, and encourage more of the same this week. Visit kitsapgreatgive.org today, and tune in on Tuesday to join with your neighbors to do something special. You can make a difference.